Machen: $42 million in cuts, but fewer layoffs than feared
By Nathan Crabbe
Gainesville SUN Staff writer
Published: Friday, May 15, 2009 at 12:14 p.m.
Last Modified: Friday, May 15, 2009 at 12:14 p.m.
University of Florida President Bernie Machen said Friday that he’ll seek more than $42 million in cuts, but avoid widespread layoffs and the elimination of more than a handful of academic programs.
Machen outlined his upcoming budget to the Faculty Senate. He’ll meet next week with trustees before releasing details about program cuts and layoffs, but said later that they would be far less than previous worst-case scenarios.
"The actual amount of program cuts is a very small component of this," he said.
Some savings will be achieved through retirements, which will be encouraged through buyouts, and other departures. Seventy-two faculty and 80 staff expected to leave the university will not have their positions filled, Machen said.
There will far fewer layoffs, he said, perhaps less than a dozen faculty members but a great number of staff.
"More than one is a lot if you’re the one," he said. "It’s not an insignificant number."
Many of the staff members are part of the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences’ operations though the state, he said later.
His approach would use $24 million in federal stimulus money for one-time costs, keeping about $17 million to deal with more state cuts that he believes are likely to come.
"A little bird tells me that our economy is not going to turn around until maybe the end of the year," he said.
Machen said he’ll release specifics about the budget by the end of next week. Trustees are expected to vote by the end of the month.
